Did GM ever publish a GCWR list?
 

Just like the title says - did GM ever publish a list of GCWR’s for Squarebody trucks? GVWR is easy to find, but not GCWR.

Planning a cross country move within the next couple of years and looking to stay DOT legal.

Truck was originally a 1978 Chevy K20, 6800# GVW, 350-4, SM465, 3.73 gears, vacuum brakes.

Re: Did GM ever publish a GCWR list?
 

They are called the trailering guide.

Some appear in the brochures and some in the generic info packets, but not with any regularity.

Next time I come across one I'll post it up.

K

Re: Did GM ever publish a GCWR list?
 

Here ya go. It's for '74 but shouldn't be that different.

Re: Did GM ever publish a GCWR list?
 

Well done, Steeveedee.

I see my work here is finished.

K

Re: Did GM ever publish a GCWR list?
 

Thank you guys! Keith, I recall you mentioning before that you evaluated some of these ratings by “launchability”. Was there much design behind that aside from larger engines and deeper gears?

Quite a bit of this truck has been changed since new. It now has Camper Special springs and full floating rear axle, a 5.3L, and hydroboost brakes. It appears from the factory that it was designed as a 9500 GCW, but I’m curious of your opinion on what you think this truck would class in the same test today with these modifications?

Re: Did GM ever publish a GCWR list?
 

I didn't really get to affect the design. I took what was already locked in (in terms of powertrain content, based on other variables like unladed driveabilty, or fuel economy targets) and did a go/no go evaluation for the launch up the 16% grade, based on the existing rating.

Really the only knob I was allowed to touch would be to recommend dialing up or dialing down the trailer rating, if needed.

Probably better, due to increased horsepower and better springs. I don't think brakes were part of the equation since it was assumed/required that the trailer itself would have appropriate braking.

In any case, if you are trying to stay "DOT legal" you better stick to the published number.

K

Re: Did GM ever publish a GCWR list?
 

It’s definitely better, was just more curious of a guess of what it may have achieved in the same test today.